February 27, 2025
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 27.02.2025, 13:55
Energy. The Romanian government adopted an emergency order to extend the cap on electricity prices beyond the 31st of March deadline, until 30th June this year, and that on natural gas prices until the beginning of April next year. The latter move is intended to prevent the rise in natural gas prices when the stocks for next winter are refilled. Energy minister Sebastian Burduja said recently that the government wishes to protect Romanian users and support the competitiveness of Romanian companies. Following the liberalisation of energy prices from 1st January 2021, Romania has been one of the European countries worst hit by the soaring electricity and gas prices.
Budget deficit. Romania’s budget deficit went up to 0.58% of GDP in the first month of the year, from 0.45% in the same period last year, according to data published by the finance ministry today. The latter said total incomes amounted to almost 47 billion lei, down 1.4%, amid a reduction in European funding and in some current returns, such as from VAT and excise duties. Expenditure, on the other hand, which amounts to 58 billion, went up by 4.5% compared with the same period last year. The finance ministry recalls that this year’s budget is based on an economic growth rate of 2.5% and a budget deficit of 7% of GDP. In 2024, the deficit went up to 8.65% of GDP, from 5.61% in 2023.
Farmers. Romanian farmers stand in solidarity with their counterparts in Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria, who are staging protests against European agricultural policies, which they see as unfair, and against the massive import of agricultural products from third countries. The Alliance for Agriculture and Cooperation, which includes a number of Romanian organisations in the field, said in a statement that Romanian farmers are faced with distortions of the market caused by duty free imports from Ukraine, the negative impact of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement on the competitiveness of European agricultural production and with a growing bureaucratic burden caused by Brussels regulations. All of these pose a threat to food security, destroy local supply chains and affect farmers’ incomes, the Alliance said. Its representatives view the protests as a strong signal that the current agricultural policies must be revised in order to ensure a sustainable future for farmers across the European Union.
Investigation. Călin Georgescu, the far-right front-runner of the cancelled presidential elections in Romania, is under criminal investigation for 60 days, after being questioned by the General Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday. While inquiries are being conducted, he is not allowed to leave the country and must check in with the police regularly. Georgescu is accused of six crimes, some in aggravated form, including instigation to actions against the rule of law and presenting false information and giving false statements in respect of his wealth declaration and the funding sources of his election campaign.
Tate brothers. The Romanian body investigating organised crime and terrorism confirmed that the case prosecutor allowed Andrew and Tristan Tate to leave Romania, but emphasised that the Tate brothers are still under criminal investigation and must return to Romania. The two, who are holding dual British-American citizenship, are believed to have left the country this morning on board a private plane, heading for Florida. They were first arrested three years ago and are charged with rape, kidnapping and money laundering. Last week, the Financial Times wrote that the current administration in Washington is putting pressure on Romania to cancel the restrictions against the Tate brothers, something which the Romanian authorities have denied.
Handball. The Romanian men’s handball champions CS Dinamo Bucharest lost at home to the Polish side Orlen Wisla Plock 27-26 in a dramatic match as part of the Champions League Group A. The guest side scored the winning point seconds before the end of the match. Dinamo will play their final group match on 6th March away against Fredericia Handbold Klub from Denmark. The two best-ranked sides will go straight into the quarterfinals, while the sides in places 3rd to 6th will go into playoffs.
